What we are doing:
Envisioning and mapping the future of the footwear
Bringing together academics, labs, industry innovators, and others to:
- increase ideas
- expand the number of people working on solutions
- align efforts
Identifying future challenges that need solutions
- supply chain strains
- scaling new materials
- construction and manufacturing issues
- technology knowledge constraints
- consumer data sets
- end of life issues
Initiating or scaling R&D to provide needed, meaningful innovations
- testing new 3D and additive manufacturing methods and construction techniques for mass use
- using AI to increase customer understanding and customize shoes for better fit, value, and exact inventory management
- new production locations with optimized supply chains
- new ways to buy and sell shoes
- a circular system to end waste
How we are doing it:
Building networks among universities, labs, consultants, experts and industry leaders
Conducting collaborative research
Funding or launching projects to test and prove ideas
Democratizing findings and making results publicly available for all
Guiding principles to how we operate:
- Promote Broad Impact – Prioritize initiatives with potential applications across various footwear categories and with the greatest number of consumers as possible.
- Deliver Meaningful Impact – Emphasize solutions that bring significant value to both consumers and industry stakeholders.
- Have Clear Objectives – Develop and select projects with well-defined goals and tangible deliverables over ambiguous endeavors.
- Embrace Practical Applications – Focus on addressing specific needs within the footwear industry rather than adopting generic cross-industry trends.
- Adopt a Merit-Based Approach – Collaborate with individuals and organizations based on their ability to contribute to future innovation, prioritizing merit over financial backing or institutional affiliations.
- Democratize Findings – Commit to sharing our research publicly to spur on new entrepreneurial solutions.
- Cultivate New Minds and Critical Thinking – Increase the development of fresh perspectives and critical thought inside – and encouraging thought leaders outside – the industry to focus on new footwear applications.
- Harness Every Good Idea – Recognize the value of worthwhile projects, even if they cannot be immediately pursued, by documenting industry needs and encouraging entrepreneurship to address them effectively.
